Container and funnel construction



April 19, 1960 E. L. SHARP 2,933,110

CONTAINER AND FUNNEL CONSTRUCTION 1 Filed April 20. 1959 Fra. 1.

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United States Patent CONTAINER AND FUNNEL CONSTRUCTION Ewing L. Sharp, Burbank, Calif. Application April 20, 1959, Serial No. 807,691

Claims. (Cl. 141-98) This invention pertains to a new and improved container and funnel construction.

A funnel, matches, mantels and various other items of equipment are frequently used with gasoline lanterns and various similar, related structures. Such items of equipment are normally separately stored away from such a lantern. As a consequence of this they are frequently very diflicult to find when they have to be used. Further, as a consequence of this they are often lost. In many cases mantels for such lanterns, matches and the like are stored in such a manner that they are damaged either by contact with other items or through ambient moisture or the like.

An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved combined container and funnel construction for use with gasoline and similar lanterns. Another object of this invention is to provide constructions of this type which can be employed so as to store items of equipment such as matches, mantels or related goods adjacent to such a lantern so that these items are always readily available when they are needed. A further object of this invention is to provide constructions of this type which can be used so as to hold to such items in a manner that they cannot be readily damaged.

These and other objects of this invention will be fully apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains from a detailed consideration of the remainder of this description including the appended claims and the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view showing a combined container and funnel construction of this invention in use on a conventional gasoline lantern;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of one end of this combined container and funnel construction;

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken at line 3--3 of Fig. 2; and

Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the parts of this combined container and funnel construction.

Those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains will realize that the accompanying drawing is primarily intended so as to clearly illustrate a presently preferred embodiment of this invention. They will also realize that this invention is not to be considered as being limited by this drawing inasmuch as the sizes and shapes of a combined container and funnel construction as herein described may be varied without departing from the actual nature of this invention.

As an aid to understanding this invention it can be stated in essentially summary form that it involves combined container and funnel constructions, each of which includes a funnel, a container fitting closely within the funnel, a lid positioned so as to extend across both the container and the funnel, this lid including means for holding both the container and the funnel, and clip means attached to the lid so as to extend from it. These clip means are designed so that the remainder of a combined construction of this invention may be readily snapped 2,933.1 l0 Patented Apr. 19, 1960 2 into place upon a cap covering a filling opening into a lantern or upon another similar member.

The actual nature of this invention is best more fully explained by referring directly to the accompanying drawing. In Fig. 1 there is shown a combined container and funnel construction 10 of this invention in use upon a conventional gasoline lantern 12. This construction 10 is held upon a conventional cap 14 covering a filling opening (not shown) used in introducing fuel into the lantern 12, by means of two resilient spring clips 16 extending from a lid 17. Each of the clips 16 is provided with a tapered outer end 18 leading to a flange 20 which is adapted to fit under the bottom of the cap 14 so as to achieve an effective holding action. The principal portions 22 of the clip 16 are preferably curved to the configuration of the cap 14 so as to securely hold the complete construction 10 as indicated. The tapered outer ends 18 are designed so as to slide upon the cap 14 when the construction 10 is being snapped on to the cap 14 so as to facilitate positioning of the clips 16.

When the combined container and funnel construction 10 is held in this manner a funnel 24 extends from the lid 17 in a substantially vertical position as indicated in I Fig. l of the drawing. This funnel 24 preferably includes a cylindrical tubular vessel 26 having a conical bottom 28 from the center of which there extends a tube 30 which is adapted to fit within a filling opening (not shown) in a lantern such as a lantern 12. In order to provide for the escape of air during a filling operation ridges 32 may be formed along the exterior of the tube 30 and along part of the bottom 28. Preferably a small filter screen 34 is secured within the funnel 24 between the tube 30 and the bottom 28.

Around the open top of the vessel 26 this vessel is formed so as to include an annular bead or flange 36 having two diametrically opposed notches 38 formed therein. Preferably the exterior of the vessel 26 is also formed so as to include two diametrically opposed bumps 40 located around the interior of the vessel 26 from the notches 38. This construction of the exterior of the vessel 26 is designed so as to constitute a part of a bayonet joint holding and connecting the funnel 24 with the cap or lid 17. The other part of this joint is constituted by means of an external cylindrical flange 42 formed on the lid 17 so as to include bumps 44 which are adapted to fit within the notches 38. When the bumps 44 have been pushed through the notches 38 the funnel 24 may be twisted with respect to the lid 17 so as to lock the bumps 44 against the bumps 40 as indicated in Fig. 2 of the drawing.

Preferably the lid 17 includes an internal cylindrical flange 46 which is adapted to engage and hold the exterior of a container 48 located within the funnel 2 4. This container 48 is of a tubular shape, and includes a closed bottom 50 and an open top 52 which is adapted to fit against the lid 17, when this container 48 is slid within the flange 46. In order to limit movement of the container 48 toward the lid 17 a small annular bead 54 adapted to fit against the end of the flange 46 is preferably provided on the container 48.

In order to provide for ventilation of matches, mantels or the like which are stored within a container 48 during the use of the complete combined construction 10 it is possible to provide within the lid 17 a center opening 56 which is adapted to be loosely covered by the cap 14 when the construction 10 is used in the manner indicated in the drawing. The opening 56 is also advantageous inasmuch as it provides clearance whereby screws and the like extending from the cap 14 may be accommodated, without limiting the use of the construction 10 in such a manner that this construction can be used regardless of how a, cap. such as the cap 14 is formed.

From the foregoing description it will be realized that the combined container and funnel construction herein described is a very simple, eifective device which can be used in. holding a funnel upon a lantern where Such a funnel is usedrand that this construction can be. used so as to hold matches, mantels or the like in such a manner that such items are protected and in such a manner that such items are available when needed. Because of the nature of this invention it is to be considered as being limited only by the appended claims'forming a part of this disclosure.

1 claim:

l. A container and funnel construction which comprises:- a funnel including a vessel having an open end and; a bottom located remote from said open end, and including atube extending from said bottom; a container fitting closely Within said vessel, said container having an open top positioned adjacent to said open end of said vessel; a lid positioned so as to extend across said open end of said vessel and said open top of container, said lid being formed so as to include means engaging said vessel so as to hold said lid with respect to said vessel and means engaging said container so as to hold said container with respect to said lid; and clip means for holding said lid, said container and said funnel upon a supporting member,-said clip means being attached to said lid so as to extend therefrom on the side of said lid remote from said, funnel.

2. A container and funnel construction as defined, in

claim 1 wherein said means engaging said vessel so as to hold said lid with respect to said vessel comprises a part of a bayonet joint, and wherein said vessel is formed so as'to include another part of a bayonet joint formed thereon. r

3. A container and funnel construction as defined in claim 2 wherein said means engaging said container comprises a flange engaging said container.

4. A container and funnel construction as defined in claim 3 wherein said lid is formed so as to include an opening formed therein leading through said lid into the interior of said container.

5. A combined container and funnel constructionwhieh comprises: a funnel including a cylindrical, tubular vessel having an open end and a conical bottom closing one end of said vessel, and including a tube extending from the center of said conical bottom; a cylindrical container fitting within said vessel, said container having an open top positioned adjacent to said open end of said vessel and having a closed bottom, said container also having an annular bead formed thereon around said open top; a lid positioned so. as to extend across said open end of said vessel and said open top of said container, said lid including a flange fitting around the outside of said vessel, and means formed on said flange for engaging a part of said'vessel so as to hold said vessel with respect to said lid, said lid also being formed so as to include an internal cylindrical flange extending therefrom, said internal flange engaging and holding said open top of said container; clip means mounted on said lid so as to extend therefrom on the side of said lid. remotefrom said container and said funnel, said clip means comprising two resilient spring clips, each of said. clips being provided with a tapered outer end leading to a flange anda curved principal portion located, between said flange and said lid, said clip means being formed so that said principal portions are capable of engaging the exterior of a cap and so that said flanges are capable of fitting against the side of a cap remote from said lid.

References Cited in the file of this patent 

